Coat Carrier

ABSTRACT

The present disclosure relates to a coat carrier for conveniently carrying a coat when the coat is not being worn by the user. The coat carrier comprises a base panel and two side panels pivotally connected to the base panel. The side panels are movable between an open position for loading a coat into the coat carrier and a folded position forming a carrying case with open ends configured so that the coat extends outwardly from the open ends of the coat carrier when the coat is loaded into the coat carrier. A pair of handles are attached to the upper edges of respective side panels. A closure mechanism is provided for releaseably securing the side panels in the folded position when the coat carrier is in use to carry a coat.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates generally to carrying cases and, moreparticularly, to a carrying case for carrying a coat or other clothingarticle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Travelers, whether for business purposes or personal reasons, often findthat weather conditions at the destination may vary from the weatherconditions at the start of the trip. Preparing for varying weatherconditions encountered during the trip is a common problem. For example,a person may wear a coat or jacket at the start of a trip due to cooltemperatures, rain, or wind conditions. As another example, a person mayneed to carry a coat to prepare for rain or weather conditions that areforecast at the destination. Additionally, during the course of a trip,a traveler may remove their coat for various reasons. For example, thetraveler may remove their coat when traveling through airports, trainstations and the like. As another example, a traveler may remove theircoat when stopping for meals or meetings. In these and similarscenarios, the person may need to carry their coat for part of the day,which can be an inconvenience. Travelers may try to stuff their coatinto a briefcase or carrying case, drape the coat over their luggage orwear the coat even when it is not needed. Once the coat is removed, itis easily misplaced. It can fall off the luggage or be left behindunintentionally at one of the stops made during the course of the trip.Accordingly, there is a need for carrying devices that allow a person tocarry coats when the coats are not being worn, as well as other personalitems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates to a coat carrier for convenientlycarrying a coat when the coat is not being worn by the user. The coatcarrier comprises a base panel and two side panels pivotally connectedto the base panel. The side panels are movable between an open positionfor loading a coat into the coat carrier and a folded position forming acarrying case with open ends configured so that the coat extendsoutwardly from the open ends of the coat carrier when the coat is loadedinto the coat carrier. A pair of handles are attached to the upper edgesof respective side panels. A closure mechanism is provided forreleaseably securing the side panels in the folded position when thecoat carrier is in use to carry a coat.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent and obvious from a study of the following description and theaccompanying drawings which are merely illustrative of such invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the coat carrier being carried by auser.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the coat carrier in the folded positionfrom a first side.

FIG. 3 is another perspective view of the coat carrier in the foldedposition from a second side.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the coat carrier in the open position.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the coat carrier in the open positionwith a coat being loaded.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the coat carrier mounted to a piece ofluggage.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the coat carrier in the open position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to the drawings, and particularly to FIG. 1 , an exemplarycoat carrier is shown therein and indicated generally by the numeral 10.The coat carrier 10 provides a convenient means for carrying a coat whenthe coat is not being worn by the user and includes features forcarrying various personal items and accessories, such as smart phones,tablets, and laptop computers. The coat carrier 10 resembles a carryingcase with open ends and a handle. When a coat is loaded into the coatcarrier, the coat protrudes from the open ends of the coat carrier 10 asshown in FIG. 1 . The coat carrier 10 helps prevent the coat from beingcrumpled or wrinkled when it is being carried and further helps preventthe coat 10 from being misplaced or lost.

The coat carrier 10 may be made of any suitable material such asleather, synthetic leather, vinyl, or fabric. The coat carrier 10comprises a base panel 20, two side panels 22, 24 and handles 30. Thebase panel 20 comprises a generally flat panel on which a coat 100 islaid when the coat 100 is loaded into the coat carrier 10. The sidepanels 22, 24 are pivotally connected to opposing sides of the basepanel 20 by hinges 26, 28 respectively. The side panels 22, 24 aremoveable between an open position shown in FIG. 4 and a folded positionshown in FIGS. 2 and 3 . When the side panels 22, 24 are in the foldedposition, the base panel 20 and side panels 22, 24 form a carrier withtwo open ends 32 (front and back ends of the coat carrier 10) and anopen top 34. The side panels 22, 24 are joined to the base panel 20 byhinges 26, 28 respectively.

The handles 30 comprise straps that are attached to the upper edges ofthe side panels 22, 24 respectively. When the coat 100 is loaded intothe coat carrier 10, the coat carrier is carried by the handle as shownin FIG. 1 . The coat 100, as previously noted, is captured between theside panels 22, 24 and extends out from the open ends 32 of the coatcarrier.

The coat carrier 10 includes means to secure the side panels 22, 24 inthe folded position as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 . In the embodiment shownin FIGS. 1-5 , a series of mating snap fasteners 36 are arranged alongthe upper edge on the interior of the side panels 22, 24. When the sidepanels 22, 24 are folded together, the snap fasteners 36 can be engagedto secure the upper edge of the side panels 22, 24 together andeffectively close the open top 34 of the coat carrier 10.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that other types of securingdevices may work equally as well to secure the side panels 22, 24together. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, for example, thesnap fasteners 32 are replaced by a securing strap 38. The securingstrap 38 is secured at one end to the side panel 24, wraps over the opentop 34 of the coat carrier 10 where the free end engages a fastener onside panel 22. For example, the free end of the securing strap 38 mayengage a snap fastener, button fastener or buckle.

The coat carrier 10 may include a phone pocket 40 secured to the outersurface of one of the side panels 22, 24. In the exemplary embodimentshown in FIGS. 1-7 , the phone pocket 40 is attached to the outersurface of side panel 22. The phone pocket 40 is configured to receive asmart phone so that the smart phone is readily accessible when needed.

The coat carrier 10 may further include a sleeve 50 disposed on an innersurface of one of the side panels 22, 24 for receiving a computingdevice, such as a tablet or laptop computer. In the exemplary embodimentshown in the Figures, the sleeve 50 is attached to the inner surface ofthe side panel 24. The sleeve 50 may be padded to provide protection forthe computing device. Sleeve 50 provides a convenient means for carryingthe laptop computer so that the computer is readily accessible.

In some embodiments, the coat carrier 10 may further include luggagestraps 60 attached to an outer surface of one of the side panels 22, 24.In the exemplary embodiment, a pair of luggage straps 60 are secured tothe outer surface of the side panel 24. The luggage straps 60 aresecured at their ends to the side panel 24. The luggage straps 60 enablethe coat carrier 10 to be mounted to the extensible handle 112 for apiece of luggage 110 as shown in FIG. 6 by inserting the extensiblehandle 112 between the side panel 24 and luggage strap 60. The luggagestraps 60 provide a convenient means for carrying the coat 100 whiletraveling.

In use, a coat 100 is loaded into the coat carrier 10 when the sidepanels 22, 24 are in the open position as shown in FIG. 5 . Once thecoat 100 is loaded, the side panels 22, 24 can be pivoted toward oneanother and the snap fasters 36 (or securing strap 38) are engaged tosecure the side panels 22, 24 together. The coat carrier 10 can then becarried by the handles 30 as seen in FIG. 1 . When carried, the coat 100is supported in part by the base panel 20 and is captured between theside panels 22, 24. As previously noted, the coat 100 may extend outfrom the open ends 32 of the coat carrier 100.

The coat carrier 10 as herein described provides a convenient means forcarrying a coat when the coat is not being worn by the user.Additionally, the coat carrier 10 is provided with features for carryingother personal items, such as a phone or laptop computer, in order tofree a person's hands. Those skilled in the art will appreciate thatadditional features could be added. For example, additional featurescould be added for carrying keys, a wallet, credit cards, or a purse. Inthis way, any items that a person may need during the day will bereadily available.

What is claimed is:
 1. A coat carrier comprising: a base panel; firstand second side panels pivotally connected to the base panel, the sidepanels being movable between an open position for loading a coat intothe coat carrier and a folded position forming a carrying case with openends configured so that the coat extends outwardly from the open ends ofthe coat carrier when the coat is loaded into the coat carrier; a pairof handles attached to the upper edges of respective side panels; and asecuring mechanism for releaseably securing the side panels in thefolded position.
 2. The coat carrier of claim 1 further comprising apocket disposed on an outer surface of the first or second side panel.3. The coat carrier of claim 2 wherein the pocket is configured toreceive a phone.
 4. The coat carrier of claim 1 further comprising asleeve for a computing device disposed on an inner surface of the firstor second side panel.
 5. The coat carrier of claim 4 wherein the sleeveis configured to receive a tablet or laptop computer.
 6. The coatcarrier of claim 1 further comprising one or more luggage straps securedto an outer surface of the first or second side panel and configured forengagement with a baggage handle.
 7. The coat carrier of claim 1 whereinthe securing mechanism comprises a series of mating snap fastenersdisposed respectively along the upper edges of the first and second sidepanels.
 8. The coat carrier of claim 1 wherein the securing mechanismcomprises: a securing strap attached to one of the first or second sidepanels; and a strap fastener secured to the other of the first andsecond side panels for engagement with the strap.
 9. The coat carrier ofclaim 8 wherein the strap fastener comprises a snap fastener, a buttonfastener or a buckle.
 10. A coat carrier comprising: a base panel; firstand second side panels hingedly connected to the base panel, the sidepanels being movable between an open position for loading a coat intothe coat carrier and a folded position forming a carrying case with openends configured so that the coat extends outwardly from the open ends ofthe coat carrier when the coat is loaded into the coat carrier; a pairof handles attached to the upper edges of respective side panels; aclosure mechanism for releaseably securing the side panels in the foldedposition; a pocket disposed on an outer surface of the first or secondside panel configured to receive a phone; a sleeve disposed on an innersurface of the first or second side panel configured to receive a tabletor laptop computer; and one or more luggage straps secured to an outersurface of the first or second side panel and configured for engagementwith a baggage handle.
 11. The coat carrier of claim 10 wherein theclosure mechanism comprises a series of mating snap fasteners disposedrespectively along the upper edges of the first and second side panels.12. The coat carrier of claim 10 wherein the closure mechanismcomprises: a securing strap attached to one of the first or second sidepanels; and a strap fastener secured to the other of the first andsecond side panels for engagement with the strap.
 13. The coat carrierof claim 12 wherein the strap fastener comprises a snap fastener, abutton fastener or a buckle.
 14. A foldable, open ended coat carrier forcarrying a coat, comprising: a base panel a first panel; first andsecond side panels hinged to and extending from opposing sides of thebase panel and configured to move between an open position for loading acoat into the coat carrier and a folded position forming a carrying casewith open ends for carrying the coat; and a handle secured to eachpanel; wherein, in use: the first and second panels are disposed inback-to-back relationship with the coat lying therebetween and supportedat least in part at least by the base panel; and the coat extendsthrough one or both of the open ends of the carrier.
 15. The foldable,open ended coat carrier of claim 14 further comprising a pocket securedon an outer surface of the first or second side panels.
 16. The coatcarrier of claim 14 further comprising a sleeve for a computing devicedisposed on an inner surface of the first or second side panel.
 17. Thecoat carrier of claim 14 further comprising one or more luggage strapssecured to an outer surface of the first or second side panel andconfigured for engagement with a baggage handle.
 18. The coat carrier ofclaim 14 further comprising a securing mechanism for releaseablysecuring the side panels in the folded position.
 19. The foldable openended coat carrier of claim 14 wherein in the coat carrying position,the coat carrier assumes a generally U-shaped configuration.